Sample preparation task 5, by E. Sichel on June 24, 2002

Assistance provided by Ann Bodio, student technician, and Rick Karney, director of the MVSG.

Rick Karney harvests some live scallops for testing Ceramicrete as an adhesive on live shellfish. Ceramicrete was developed by Dr. Arun Wagh of Argonne National Laboratory, who donated the Ceramicrete for us to test on shellfish.

Shown are live scallops in air on the benchtop, attached to plastic netting with Ceramicrete.

Three trials of Ceramicrete were made. In all cases, the Ceramicrete powder was mixed with a dilute solution of phosphoric acid to speed the setting time. Reagent phosphoric acid was diluted to 50 weight percent and then 10 percent of the mixing water was replaced by this phosphoric acid solution.

• Trial 1: 100 grams of Ceramicrete powder was mixed with 51 grams of dilute phosphoric acid. The Ceramicrete was stirred for about 20 minutes when it suddenly began to harden. It was quickly applied to wet scallops and netting. The scallops sat on the bench top in air for 5 minutes, as shown in the photograph above. During this time, the scallops clapped their shells, trying to escape. Thus, the Ceramicrete was not undisturbed while it hardened. After 5 minutes in air, the shellfish were immersed in seawater. The Ceramicrete immediately dispersed in the water and the test was a failure.
• Trial 2: 50 grams of Ceramicrete and 25 grams of dilute phosphoric acid were mixed. After stirring for 10 minutes, Ceramicrete was applied to scallops that were patted dry with paper towel. Ceramicrete was also applied to the plastic netting and the scallops were set in place. They dried in air for 45 minutes and then the scallops and netting were immersed in seawater. The test failed immediately. The scallops came loose from the netting.
• Trial 3:The leftover Ceramicrete from Trial 2 had been stirred for 35 minutes, but had not hardened. Additional dry Ceramicrete powder was added to make a thick paste, which began to set up. A third batch of scallops were blotted dry with towels; Ceramicrete was applied to them and to the netting and the scallops were set on the plastic netting in air while the Ceramicrete hardened. The scallops were in air for 20 minutes, and then immersed in seawater as shown below. The Ceramicrete held. The test was an initial success.